These are the stars to watch in 2026, from major title contenders to young players aiming for a breakthrough.
As 2025 comes to an end, it’s time to look ahead to the coming year. Which players could take the next step in their careers and who might win a major for the first time? This year, Rory McIlroy finally claimed his long-awaited Masters title, and J.J. Spaun rose from world number 119 to the top 10 following his US Open victory in June. So, who are the players set to rise up the ranks or achieve long-held goals in 2026?
Major Contenders Hoping for Their First Title
The most obvious candidate on this list is Tommy Fleetwood. The 34-year-old Englishman won his first PGA Tour title last year with the FedEx Cup, lifting a huge weight off his shoulders. Along with his Ryder Cup success, victory at the DP World India Championship, and a close playoff loss at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, he maintained strong form throughout the year. It is quite possible that he carries this momentum into 2026 and wins his first major next season.
His fellow countryman Tyrrell Hatton is also a name not to overlook in the majors in 2026. Hatton already has major experience; late mistakes cost him the chance to claim the US Open title in June. Although that missed opportunity was tough to handle, it gave him invaluable experience if another chance comes next year.
Cameron Young, Robert MacIntyre, and Ludvig Aberg can also definitely envision chances to celebrate their first major victories next year. Young finished T4 at the US Open despite a sometimes bumpy season and won his first PGA Tour event, entering the new season with confidence. MacIntyre had strong chances during J.J. Spaun’s win and ended runner-up. Aberg will likely place his highest hopes on the Masters, where he had a strong chance this year before a poor finish cost him.
Players Poised to Break into the Stars
The surprise of the last DP World Tour season was Marco Penge. The Englishman finished second in the Race to Dubai and thereby qualified for the PGA Tour for the first time. Penge aims to make an impact on the American stage. He already marked himself with a T2 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open last year. With a strong tee shot and at age 27, he has enough experience to adapt to the transition.
Harry Hall has already proven his ability on the PGA Tour with a T17 at the Tour Championship. He impresses with extremely solid putting and missed only three cuts in 2025. The jump into the world elite could come next year, and he is definitely one to watch at major tournaments.
The standout player of the early 2026 DP World Tour season is Jayden Schaper. In the first three events of the new season, he has already won twice and was T2 at the one tournament he did not win. The 24-year-old excels on the greens and so far requires the fewest putts of the entire field. Whether he can sustain this form remains to be seen, but